Bond and Free
Clerical World, 3, 441
Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a female slave, the other by a free woman.…


Look at the two covenants as represented by Hagar and Sarah.

I. THEIR POINTS OF CONNECTION.

1. They have the same origin. Those who are outside the covenant of promise are still children of the Heavenly Father.

2. They have to a great extent the same elements. Promise on God's part and conditions on man's. Ishmael got promises, and Isaac was subjected to conditions. Sinai had its promises; the gospel has its conditions.

3. For a time they largely influence each other. Ishmael and Isaac live together. The law was permeated by the gospel; the gospel by the law.

II. THE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.

1. The degrees of prominence in those elements which they possess in common. The covenant becomes under the new dispensation also a testament with large bequests.

2. In the absence or presence of one great vital element — grace, forgiveness.

3. In their effects on men's natures. The law, like Hagar, bringeth forth children of bondage; the gospel, like Sarah, children of freedom.

(Clerical World, 3, 441.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

WEB: For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman.




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